Mass Effect Walkthrough :

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Walkthrough - FAQ/Walkthrough

Page 1

MASS EFFECT GUIDE/WALKTHROUGH v1.50
Written by Eric Jewett, etjester@hotmail.com
Last Modified: Monday, August 31, 2009
This document Copyright 2007-2009 Eric Jewett.
This guide may be viewed on the internet for free, but may
not be otherwise used, reproduced, sold, or distributed
without my expressed written permission.
Mass Effect is Copyright 2003-2009 by BioWare Corp. BioWare, the BioWare
logo, Mass Effect, and the Mass Effect logo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of EA International Ltd.
Microsoft, the Microsoft Game Studios logo, Xbox 360, and the Xbox 360 logos
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
EA and the EA logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts
Inc.
Unauthorized copying, reproduction, rental, public performance or broadcast
of these games is a violation of applicable laws.
================== Ctrl+F
TABLE OF CONTENTS Search
================== Code
------
I. (1) INTRODUCTION 11intr
(2) BACKGROUND 12back
(3) XBOX 360 CONTROLS 13xbox
(4) PC CONTROLS 14pcco
(5) GAME BASICS 15game
A. Character Creation 15Acha
B. Introduction to RPGs 15Bint
C. Conversations 15Ccon
D. The Mission Computer 15Dthe
E. Combat 15Ecom
F. Advancing Levels 15Fadv
G. The Galaxy Map 15Gthe
H. Equipment 15Hequ
I. Squad Management 15Isqu
J. Exploring Uncharted Worlds 15Jexp
K. Using the Mako 15Kusi
(6) CHARACTERS 16char
A. Commander Shepard 16Acom
B. Squad Members 16Bsqu
C. Normandy Crew 16Cnor
D. Other Characters 16Doth
(7) DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT 17down
A. Bring Down the Sky 17Abri
B. Pinnacle Station 17Bpin
II. (1) WALKTHROUGH 21walk
A. Primary Mission 21Apri
i. Prologue 21A1pr
ii. Eden Prime 21A2ed
iii. The Citadel 21A3th
iv. Liara's Dig Site 21A4li
v. Feros 21A5fe
vi. Noveria 21A6no
vii. Virmire 21A7vi
viii. Return to the Citadel 21A8re
ix. Ilos 21A9il
B. Optional Assignments 21Bopt
i. Citadel Assignments 21B1ci
ii. Feros Assignments 21B2fe
iii. Garrus Assignments 21B3ga
iv. Noveria Assignments 21B4no
v. Pinnacle Station Assignments 21B5pi
vi. Tali Assignments 21B6ta
vii. UNC Assignments 21B7un
viii. Virmire Assignments 21B8vi
ix. Wrex Assignments 21B9wr
x. X57 Assignments 21B10x
C. Complete Codex 21Ccom
i. Primary Codex Entries 21C1pr
ii. Secondary Codex Entries 21C2se
III.(1) EQUIPMENT AND UPGRADES 31equi
A. Manufacturers 31Aman
B. Hidden Manufacturers 31Bhid
C. Weapons 31Cwea
D. Armor 31Darm
E. Other Equipment 31Eoth
F. Upgrades 31Fupg
(2) COMBAT STRATEGIES 32comb
A. General Strategies 32Agen
B. Sub-Boss Strategies 32Bsub
C. Boss Strategies 32Cbos
(3) GUIDE TO THE GALAXY 33guid
(4) SECRETS 34secr
A. Romances and Squad Conversations 34Arom
B. Achievement Bonuses 34Bach
C. Walkthrough Conclusion 34Cwal
IV. (1) CREDITS 41cred
(2) CONTACT ME 42cont
(3) REVISIONS 43revi
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION I
----------------------------------------------------------------------
=============
Introduction 11intr
=============
Mass Effect is the first in a trilogy of games created by BioWare, award-
winning developer of such RPGs as "Knights of the Old Republic" and "Baldur's
Gate." It takes place in the year 2183, as humanity begins to take its first
steps on the galactic stage, interacting with new alien races and settling
uncharted worlds. You play as Commander Shepard, a promising young officer
in the Systems Alliance Navy who has just been assigned to the SSV Normandy--
the most advanced starship humans have ever created.
Mass Effect was released for the Xbox 360 in North America on November 20,
2007, and for the PC on May 28, 2008. The game is rated "M" for Mature by
the ESRB for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes, and violence.
===========
Background 12back
===========
In 2148 AD, humanity discovered a small cache of highly advanced alien
technology buried deep beneath the surface of Mars. The creators of this
technology--known as the Protheans--went extinct nearly 50,000 years ago,
leaving little evidence of their existence behind. The discovery of this
technology led humans to develop faster-than-light travel, allowing rapid
expansion throughout the solar system.
Within a year humanity uncovered another piece of Prothean technology, a
dormant mass relay that had been encased in the ice-dwarf Charon. Once
activated, this relay allowed instantaneous travel across thousands of light
years to other mass relays in different parts of the galaxy. Humanity
immediately began using this technology to colonize far-off star systems.
This same year, the Systems Alliance was formed by the largest governments on
Earth to serve as the spearhead of humanity's expansion.
In 2157, the Alliance made first contact with an alien species known as the
turians. This resulted in the First Contact War, as the next several months
saw skirmishes between the turians and Earth's Systems Alliance fleets. In
the largest battle of the war, the turians crushed the garrison on the human
colony of Shanxi, but were ultimately driven off by the Alliance Second
Fleet. This conflict drew the attention of the Citadel Council, a governing
body that maintained peace and stability throughout much of the galaxy. They
intervened in the conflict and brokered a peace agreement between humans and
turians.
Humanity continued its rapid expansion, and in 2165 it was granted an embassy
on the Citadel, the political and economic heart of the civilized galactic
community. This angered another race of aliens, the batarians, who had come
into competition with humanity over territory in an undeveloped region of
space known as the Skyllian Verge.
Frustrated with the Council's refusal to halt human expansion, the batarians
closed their embassy on the Citadel, and ultimately funded a surprise attack
on the human colony of Elysium. The attack failed however, and in
retaliation the Alliance raided the batarian criminal base on Torfan in 2178.
Despite taking heavy losses, the Alliance soldiers utterly exterminated the
inhabitants.
The year is now 2183, and the SSV Normandy--the most advanced starship ever
created by the Alliance--is being put through its paces. Aboard is Commander
Shepard, a talented young officer who will soon embark on a galaxy-spanning
adventure with the fate of the known universe hanging in the balance...
==================
Xbox 360 Controls 13xbox
==================
BASIC CONTROLS / COMBAT CONTROLS
--------------------------------
A Button - Activate / Interact / Sprint or Mount (in combat)
B Button - Holster Weapon
X Button - Draw Weapon / Skip Dialogue
Y Button - Draw Weapon / First Aid
Left Trigger - Draw Weapon / Zoom
Right Trigger - Draw Weapon / Fire Weapon
Left Bumper - Draw Weapon / Hold to Select Weapon
Right Bumper - Hold to Select Abilities
Left Analog Stick - Move Character / Cursor / Back to Wall
Right Analog Stick - Move Camera
Left Analog Button - Toggle Crouch
Right Analog Button - Increase Zoom (using sniper rifle)
Start Button - Access Mission Computer
Back Button - Throw Grenade / Detonate Grenade
MAKO CONTROLS
-------------
A Button - Activate Jump Jets
B Button - Exit Mako
X Button - Return to Normandy
Y Button - Repair Mako
Left Trigger - Turret View
Right Trigger - Fire Machine Gun
Left Bumper - none
Right Bumper - Fire Cannon
Left Analog Stick - Move Mako
Right Analog Stick - Move Camera / Aim Weapons
Left Analog Button - none
Right Analog Button - Increase Zoom while in Turret View
Start Button - Main Menu
Back Button - none
SQUAD COMMANDS
--------------
Direction: Up - Move to a location
Direction: Down - Take cover
Direction: Left - Rally on your position
Direction: Right - Target an enemy
============
PC Controls 14pcco
============
BASIC CONTROLS
--------------
Interact - E,Enter
Tactical HUD - Spacebar
Map - M
Equipment - I
Squad - U
Journal - J
Codex - O
Quick Save - F6
COMBAT CONTROLS
---------------
Movement - W,A,S,D
Sprint - Shift
Movement Speed - Z
Crouch - Left Ctrl
Fire - Left Mouse Button
Zoom - Right Mouse Button
Change Zoom Level - E
Grenade - R
First Aid - F
Draw/Holster Weapon - Q
Previous Weapon - [
Next Weapon - ]
Pistol - F1
Shotgun - F2
Assault Rifle - F3
Sniper Rifle - F4
Toggle Quick Slots - V
Quick Slot 1 - 1
Quick Slot 2 - 2
Quick Slot 3 - 3
Quick Slot 4 - 4
Quick Slot 5 - 5
Quick Slot 6 - 6
Quick Slot 7 - 7
Quick Slot 8 - 8
MAKO CONTROLS
-------------
Cannon - Right Mouse Button
Turret Zoom - Shift
Thrusters - Spacebar
Return to Normandy - N
SQUAD COMMANDS
--------------
Move - Up Button
Rally - Down Button
Attack - Left Button
Hold Position - Right Button
============
Game Basics 15game
============
CHARACTER CREATION 15Acha
------------------
When you start a new game of Mass Effect, you can begin with the default
version of Commander Shepard, or you can create your own. Creating a custom
character allows you to alter your version of Commander Shepard in a number
of ways, as detailed below.
First, you select the gender of your character. Shepard can be male or
female. Next you can give a first name to your character. The default male
name is "John," and the default female name is "Jane." For the purposes of
in-game dialogue and continuity, the last name cannot be changed.
After selecting a name, the next step is to determine the history and
personality of your character. This is a two-step process:
The first step is to select your pre-service history. This dictates your
character's background before joining the Alliance military. Three
choices are available, and each allows for the completion of a different
optional assignment.
Spacer: "Both of your parents were in the Alliance military.
Your childhood was spent on ships and stations as they
transferred from posting to posting, never staying in
one location for more than a few years. Following in
your parents' footsteps, you enlisted at the age of
eighteen."
Alignment Bonus: ++ Paragon
Assignment: "Citadel: Old, Unhappy, Far-Off Things,"
in which Commander Shepard deals with a drunken ex-
marine who is emotionally scarred from the events he
witnessed as a soldier.
Colonist: "You were born and raised on Mindoir, a small border
colony in the Attican Traverse. When you were sixteen,
slavers raided Mindoir, slaughtering your family and
friends. You were saved by a passing Alliance patrol,
and you enlisted with the military a few years later."
Alignment Bonus: + Paragon
+ Renegade
Assignment: " Citadel: I Remember Me," in which
Commander Shepard is asked to speak with a fellow
colonist who was traumatized by the events on Mindoir.
Earthborn: "As an Earthborn, you had a rough childhood in the
slums of Earth, and have a gritty edge to your
personality."
Alignment Bonus: ++ Renegade
Assignment: "Citadel: Old Friends," in which Commander
Shepard is confronted by a member of his/her former
gang and asked for a favor.
Next you select your psychological profile, for which there are again
three possible choices. By the start of the game your character is
something of a minor celebrity, and your choice here determines precisely
how this came to be. Individuals in the game will sometimes recognize
you from your past exploits and react differently towards you.
Additionally, for each psychological profile there is an optional
assignment that is affected. However, unlike the pre-service history
selections, these assignments are available to all players.
Sole Survivor: "During your service, a mission you were on went
horribly wrong. Trapped in an extreme survival
situation, you had to overcome physical torments and
psychological stresses that would have broken most
people. You survived while all those around you fell,
and now you alone are left to tell the tale."
Alignment Bonus: + Paragon
+ Renegade
Assignment: "UNC: Dead Scientists," in which Commander
Shepard encounters a fellow survivor of the massacre
on Akuze.
War Hero: "Early in your military career you found yourself
facing an overwhelming enemy force. You risked your
own life to save your fellow soldiers and defeat the
enemy despite the impossible odds. Your bravery and
heroism have earned you medals and recognition from
the Alliance fleet."
Alignment Bonus: ++ Paragon
Assignment: "UNC: Espionage Probe," in which Commander
Shepard confronts the mastermind of the attack he/she
is famous for defeating.
Ruthless: "Throughout your military career, your have held fast
to one basic rule: get the job done. You've been
called cold, calculating, and brutal. Your reputation
for ruthless efficiency makes your fellow soldiers
wary of you. But when failure is not an option, the
military always goes to you first."
Alignment Bonus: ++ Renegade
Assignment: "UNC: Major Kyle," in which Commander
Shepard must stop a dangerous cult led by his/her
former commanding officer.
These two selections create a matrix of nine possible backgrounds for
your character, each of which is detailed below. You may use this list
to select your desired combination of pre-service history and
psychological profile.
Spacer / Sole Survivor:
"Both of your parents were in the Alliance military. Your
childhood was spent on ships and stations as they transferred
from posting to posting. Following in your parents' footsteps,
you enlisted at the age of eighteen.
One of your first missions was an expedition to investigate
Akuze, a lush world on the outskirts of Alliance space that had
suddenly dropped out of contact. Arriving on the surface, your
patrol found the settlement intact, but there were no survivors.
At nightfall, the thresher maws struck - mindless abominations of
teeth and tentacles that rose from beneath the earth. Constant
gunfire couldn't drown out the shrieks of your fellow soldiers as
they were dragged down to a gruesome death.
Fifty marines died on Akuze. You were the only one to make it
back to the landing zone alive. A monument on the planet
commemorates the massacre, a grim reminder of the price humanity
must pay as they spread throughout the stars."
Spacer / War Hero:
"Born into a naval family, you spent your childhood on ships and
stations. You moved from posting to posting as your parents were
reassigned. You enlisted in the Alliance military yourself on the
day you turned eighteen.
You were on shore leave at Elysium when the first wave of the
Skyllian Blitz struck. A massive coalition force of slavers,
crime syndicates, and batarian warlords attacked the human
colony, determined to wipe it out.
You rallied the civilian inhabitants, leading them in their
desperate fight to hold off the invaders. When enemy troops broke
through the colony's defenses, you single-handedly held them off
and sealed the breach.
After hours of brutal fighting, reinforcements finally arrived
and the enemy broke ranks and fled. Because of your actions,
Elysium was saved, and you are regarded throughout the Alliance
as a true hero."
Spacer / Ruthless:
"Born into a naval family, you spent your childhood on ships and
stations. You moved from posting to posting as your parents were
reassigned, and it was only natural you would follow in their
footsteps by enlisting in the Alliance military when you came of
age.
After several years of service, you joined the campaign to rid
the Skyllian Verge of batarian slavers and other criminal
elements. The final battle came when Alliance forces laid siege
to Torfan, a slaver base built miles below the surface of a
desolate moon. The superiority of the human fleet was wasted in
the assault on the underground bunker, but you led a corps of
elite ground troops into the heart of the enemy base.
Nearly three-quarters of your own squad perished in the vicious
close-quarters fighting... a cost you were willing to pay to make
sure not a single slaver made it out of Torfan alive."
Colonist / Sole Survivor:
"You were raised on Mindoir on the fringes of the Attican
Traverse. When you were sixteen, the colony was raided by
slavers. The entire settlement was razed and your friends and
family were slaughtered. A passing Alliance patrol rescued you,
but all you loved was destroyed.
You enlisted with the Alliance military, eventually volunteering
to go to Akuze, a colony that had mysteriously dropped out of
contact. As soon as it arrived on the surface, your patrol was
attacked by thresher maws - mindless abominations of teeth and
tentacles that rose up from beneath the earth. Constant gunfire
couldn't drown out the shrieks of your fellow soldiers as they
were dragged down to a gruesome death.
Fifty marines died on Akuze; you were the only one to make it
back to the landing zone alive. A monument on the planet
commemorates the massacre, a grim reminder of the price humanity
must pay as they spread throughout the stars."
Colonist / War Hero:
"You were raised on Mindoir on the fringes of the Attican
Traverse. When you were sixteen, the colony was raided by
slavers. The entire settlement was razed and your friends and
family were slaughtered. A passing Alliance patrol rescued you,
but all you loved was destroyed.
You enlisted with the Alliance military and were posted at
Elysium. You were there during the Skyllian Blitz, an attack on
the colony by a massive coalition force of slavers, crime
syndicates, and batarian warlords.
You rallied the civilian inhabitants, leading them in their
desperate fight to hold off the invaders. When enemy troops broke
through the colony's defenses, you single-handedly held them off
and sealed the breach.
After hours of brutal fighting, reinforcements finally arrived
and the enemy broke ranks and fled. Because of your actions,
Elysium was saved, and you are regarded throughout the Alliance
as a true hero."
Colonist / Ruthless:
"You were raised on Mindoir on the fringes of the Attican
Traverse. When you were sixteen, the colony was raided by
slavers. The entire settlement was razed and your friends and
family were slaughtered. A passing Alliance patrol rescued you,
but all you loved was destroyed.
You joined with the Alliance military, joining the long and
bloody campaign to rid the Skyllian Verge of batarian slavers and
other criminal elements. The final battle came when Alliance
forces laid siege to Torfan, a slaver base built miles below the
surface of a desolate moon. The superiority of the human fleet
was wasted in the assault on the underground bunker, but you led
a corps of elite ground troops into the heart of the enemy base.
Nearly three-quarters of your own squad perished in the vicious
close-quarters fighting, a cost you were willing to pay to make
sure not a single slaver made it out of Torfan alive."
Earthborn / Sole Survivor: *
"You were born on Earth, but you never knew your parents. A child
of the streets, you learned to live by your wits and guts,
surviving in the hidden underbelly of the megatropolises of
humanity's homeworld.
Eager to find a better life, you joined the Alliance military
when you came of age. You volunteered for an expedition to Akuze:
a lush world on the outskirts of Alliance space that had suddenly
dropped out of contact. Arriving on the surface your patrol found
the settlement intact, but no survivors.
At nightfall, the thresher maws struck - mindless abominations of
teeth and tentacles that rose up from beneath the earth. Constant
gunfire couldn't drown out the shrieks of your fellow soldiers as
they were dragged down to a gruesome death.
Fifty marines died on Akuze; you were the only one to make it
back to the landing zone alive. A monument on the planet
commemorates the massacre, a grim reminder of the price humanity
must pay as they spread throughout the stars."
Earthborn / War Hero:
"You were born on Earth, but you never knew your parents. A child
of the streets, you learned to live by your wits and guts,
surviving in the hidden underbelly of the megatropolises of
humanity's homeworld.
Eager to find a better life, you joined the Alliance military
when you came of age. You were on shore leave at Elysium when the
first wave of the Skyllian Blitz struck. A massive coalition
force of slavers, crime syndicates, and batarian warlords
attacked the human colony, determined to wipe it out.
You rallied the civilian inhabitants, leading them in their
desperate fight to hold off the invaders. When enemy troops broke
through the colony's defenses, you single-handedly held them off
and sealed the breach.
After hours of brutal fighting, reinforcements finally arrived
and the enemy broke ranks and fled. Because of your actions,
Elysium was saved, and you are regarded throughout the Alliance
as a true hero.
Earthborn / Ruthless:
"You were born on Earth, but you never knew your parents. A child
of the streets, you learned to live by your wits and guts,
surviving in the hidden underbelly of the megatropolises of
humanity's home world.
Eager to find a better life, you joined the Alliance military
when you came of age. You were assigned to the campaign to rid
the Skyllian Verge of batarian slavers and other criminal
elements. The final battle came when Alliance forces laid siege
to Torfan, a slaver base built miles below the surface of a
desolate moon. The superiority of the human fleet was wasted in
the assault on the underground bunker, but you led a corps of
elite ground troops into the heart of the enemy base.
Nearly three-quarters of your own squad perished in the vicious
close-quarters fighting, a cost you were willing to pay to make
sure not a single slaver made it out of Torfan alive."
* The Earthborn / Sole Survivor background is that chosen for the default
Commander Shepard.
After creating a character profile, you must select your class from the six
types available to you. This is a very important selection, as it determines
what weapons and abilities you will have access to.
There are three primary classes in Mass Effect: Soldiers, Engineers, and
Adepts. Soldiers are combat specialists: They are the only class with access
to heavy armor, and they have the ability to train in the use of any weapon
type. Engineers specialize in non-combat abilities like unlocking doors and
containers, and in sabotaging enemy weapons and shields. Adebts are biotic
characters that can forcefully move enemies and objects, and are best at
disabling enemies and controlling crowds.
Soldier: "The Soldier is a tough warrior, able to deal with a
range of combat situations. The Soldier gets improved
health, has the widest selection of weapons, and is
eventually able to wear heavy armor. Gameplay focus
is on getting into the thick of the fight, picking the
right weapon for tactical situations, and outlasting
opponents."
Starting Talents: Assault Rifles
Assault Training
Combat Armor (Medium)
Pistols
Unlockable Talents: Combat Armor (Heavy)
First Aid
Fitness
Shotguns
Sniper Rifles
Engineer: "The Engineer is a tech specialist, able to quickly
and easily manipulate the environment with specific
talents. Gameplay focus is on shaping the battlefield
during combat, healing the party, and debuffing
enemies (disabling weapons and lowering shields)."
Starting Talents: Decryption
Electronics
First Aid
Pistols
Unlockable Talents: Basic Armor (Light)
Damping
Hacking
Medicine
Adept: "The Adept is the ultimate biotic, able to affect the
physical world with the power of the mind. They can
use biotics to violently manipulate objects in the
environment, including nearby enemy targets. Gameplay
focus is on disabling and debuffing enemies while
dealing massive amounts of damage."
Starting Talents: Barrier
Basic Armor (Light)
Throw
Warp
Unlockable Talents: Lift
Pistols
Singularity
Stasis
The other three classes are hybrids of the first three, though whether they
combine the best or worst aspects of each remains a subject of debate. The
Infiltrator combines the Soldier and Engineer, the Vanguard combines the
Soldier and Adept, and the Sentinel combines the Engineer and Adept.
Vanguards have access to weapons and armor training, but don't have the range
of biotic abilities open to Adepts. Similarly, Infiltrators gain weapons and
armor training as well, but lack the range of debuffs possessed by Engineers.
The most supporting class is the Sentinel, which offers a mix of tech and
biotic powers, but lacks weapon or armor talents.
Infiltrator: "The Infiltrator is a tech-savvy warrior, able to win
battles by quickly disabling and killing enemies.
These soldiers focus on unlocking alternate routes,
gaining access to good equipment, and obtaining an
advantageous position over enemies in combat."
Starting Talents: Decryption
Electronics
Pistols
Tactical Armor (Light)
Unlockable Talents: Damping
First Aid
Fitness
Sniper Rifles
Tactical Armor (Medium)
Vanguard: "The Vanguard is a powerful combatant, able to combine
the offensive powers of the Adept and the Soldier.
They have access to various weapons and armor, as well
as biotics. Gameplay focus is on taking down enemies
with quick and brutal force.
Starting Talents: Assault Training
Pistols
Throw
Warp
Unlockable Talents: Barrier
Lift
Shotguns
Tactical Armor (Light/Medium)
Sentinel: "The Sentinel is the most flexible class, able to
combine tech and biotics to manipulate the
environment, disable and track enemies, or defend the
party. Gameplay focus is on protecting the party
using kinetic barriers and healing it with advanced
medical training."
Starting Talents: Barrier
Decryption
First Aid
Throw
Unlockable Talents: Electronics
Lift
Medicine
Stasis
Finally you are ready to customize your character's appearance. You can
choose to use the default versions of Commander Shepard, or you can adjust
any aspect of your character's face to your liking. Use the sliders in each
section to manipulate a range of facial details. Female characters have the
additional option of customizing makeup.
When you are finished, select "Finalize" to begin the game. Note that once
you have completed one playthrough of Mass Effect you can begin a new game by
selecting an existing character. You will begin the new game with all the
stats and equipment that your character had at the time the game was
finished. Though any accrued Charm or Intimidate slots will be retained,
your preexisting Paragon and Renegade scores will not carry over.
Additionally, if you have unlocked any weapons or powers through
achievements, you must select one as a bonus talent for your new character.
INTRODUCTION TO RPGS 15Bint
--------------------
Mass Effect is an Action Role-Playing Video Game (or RPG), meaning you assume
the role of a fictional character and control his or her actions in a way
that affects the game and other characters. As your progress through the
game you will earn "experience points" (or XP) for your actions. You gain
these points by exploring, talking to characters, completing quests, and
defeating enemies in combat. The accumulation of these points allows your
character to "level up," thereby increasing certain characteristics such as
health. In Mass Effect you are granted "talent points" after each level up,
which go into upgrading and improving your character's ability with certain
skills. Many of these components are explained in more detail later.
CONVERSATIONS 15Ccon
-------------
A significant amount of gameplay in Mass Effect is devoted to conversations
with other characters. This is done through the "conversation wheel" that
appears near the bottom of the screen whenever your character has the
opportunity to say something. All dialogue in the game is fully voiced,
including that of Commander Shepard. Rather than choosing the exact words
your character will say however, Mass Effect shows you several options on the
wheel corresponding to general feelings, questions, or emotions. These short
phrases are then turned into full lines of dialogue that are spoken by your
character
To select a dialogue response on the Xbox 360, hold the left analog stick in
the direction of the choice you wish to select, and then press the A button.
You can also press the X button instead, which will begin your character's
line immediately, stepping on the lines of any character who is speaking at
the time. X is also used to skip dialogue if you wish to do so. On the PC
you use the mouse to select dialogue options, and the Spacebar to skip
dialogue.
The dialogue wheel itself is divided into six quadrants. Choices on the
wheel's left side usually give you more information about a given topic,
while choices on the right tend to bring the conversation closer to its
conclusion. Additionally, the top of the wheel tends to correspond to the
Paragon path, where your character makes cooperative and unselfish decisions.
The bottom of the wheel typically corresponds to the Renegade path, where
your character makes decisions that are more selfish and impatient. This is
not always the case, but it is a good general guide to framing your responses
during a conversation if you wish to play as a virtuous or malevolent
character.
Sometimes you will see the option on the middle left to "Investigate."
Selecting this option brings up more choices for topics of conversation, and
the orientation of these choices often does not correspond to the Paragon /
Renegade paths described above.
If you have spent sufficient talent points in the "Charm" or "Intimidate"
talents, you will sometimes also have the option to persuade characters to
achieve a nonviolent outcome or to give you additional money, items, or
information. These choices appear in the upper and lower left quadrants as
blue and red dialogue choices respectively. If you lack sufficient skill in
these areas, these choices will be grayed out, and you will not have the
option of using them.
THE MISSION COMPUTER 15Dthe
--------------------
By pressing the Start Button (or Esc on the PC) you can enter the Mission
Computer menu. You access each part of the menu in a similar way to
selecting dialogue choices during a conversation.
The Mission Computer allows you access to game details for:
Codex: A small encyclopedia of the Mass Effect universe. As you
play and gain new information the Codex will populate
itself with new articles concerning the planets,
civilizations, and technologies you come across.
Equipment: View and change your currently equipped weapons, armor,
items, and upgrades.
Exit Game: Quits the game and returns to the desktop. (PC only)
Journal: View your current missions and assignments. Missions are
essential to the completion of the game. Assignments are
optional, but typically grant experience points and
other rewards.
Load: Load previously saved games.
Main Menu: Exit the game and return to the main menu. (PC only)
Map: Shows a two dimensional overview of your current area. It
indicates the position of your character as well as known
points of interest, objectives, and other pieces of useful
information. On the Xbox 360, you can use the left and
right bumpers to zoom in and out for a better view.
Options: Change your settings for gameplay, graphics, sound, and
other options. Notably, you can change the gameplay
difficulty, and toggle visual effects like film grain and
motion blur. (Xbox 360 only)
Save: Allows you to save your current progress through the game.
You cannot save in certain situations, such as during
combat and while riding in elevators.
Settings: Change your settings for gameplay, graphics, sound, and
other options. Notably, you can change the gameplay
difficulty, and toggle visual effects like film grain and
motion blur. (PC only)
Squad: View and upgrade stats and abilities for you and your
squad members.
COMBAT 15Ecom
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The combat in Mass Effect resembles a third-person shooter, but is actually
powered by an RPG rules set. You can draw your weapon by pressing the X
button (Q on the PC) or either of the triggers (mouse buttons on the PC), and
can holster it by pressing the B button (Q on the PC).
Drawing your weapon enters combat mode, showing a reticule on-screen to
indicate where your weapon is aimed. It also displays the status of each
squad member in the lower left corner of the screen. The red bar indicates
the health of each squad member, while the blue boxes indicate the status of
each character's shields. More boxes mean more shield strength, and empty
boxes mean the shields are depleted.
Radar is displayed in the bottom right corner, and shows enemies as red dots.
Some enemies can jam your radar, hiding their locations from you. However,
certain weapon upgrades can be used to negate this ability.
The right analog stick (or mouse on the PC) is used to aim the target
reticule. Holding the left trigger (right mouse button on PC) zooms in for
more precise aiming, increasing your character's accuracy. The reticule
turns orange when it is placed over an enemy or any object that can be
damaged or destroyed. Squeezing the right trigger (left mouse button on PC)
then fires your weapon. The chance of hitting an enemy and how much damage
is dealt from your weapon are determined by your stats and equipment. Your
chance of hitting an enemy is reduced by holding the trigger for a long
period of time. Sustained fire can also overheat your weapon, meaning you
must wait for it to cool down before using it again.
On the Xbox 360 strategic management is accomplished through the use of two
combat "wheels." The first is the "Weapons Wheel" which is accessed by
holding down the left bumper. This pauses the action, and allows you to
select what weapon each member of your squad will use. All squad members
carry a pistol, shotgun, assault rifle, and sniper rifle, but each will be
far more effective with a certain weapon if they have trained in its use.
The second wheel is the "Power Wheel," which is accessed by holding the right
bumper. This allows you to access the special abilities of all squad members
and use them accordingly by aiming using the right analog stick. A power can
also be mapped to the right bumper by pressing the X button while using the
wheel.
On the PC these wheels are replaced by the Tactical HUD, which is accessed by
holding down the Spacebar. This screen shows the abilities that are
available to you and your squad members. You can use it to select which
weapons and powers to use, and it also allows you to set your hotkeys for
each ability by dragging them to the quick slots located in the upper left
corner. Here they can be accessed by pressing the appropriate number key, 1
through 8.
ADVANCING LEVELS 15Fadv
----------------
As mentioned previously, you gain experience points as you progress through
the game. There is a single pool of experience for the entire squad,
allowing you and your companions to advance at a similar rate. By
accumulating enough XP you will level up, granting access to new talent
points which you can spend at the Squad screen in the Mission Computer. Your
character starts at level 1, and the highest possible level is level 60.
At the Squad screen you can automatically distribute talent points to the
selected character, or you can spend them manually on each desired talent.
Players earn talent points for each new level as follows:
Level Shepard Points per Level Squad Points per Level
1-5 3 2
6-20 2 2
21-35 2 1
36-60 1 1
This means that at most Shepard can earn 100 talent points through leveling
up, and squad members can earn up to 80 points. However, all characters
begin with 2 points already allocated, and automatic points in the Charm and
Intimidate talents can be earned by raising Paragon and Renegade meters to
sufficient levels. Therefore the theoretical maximum number of talent points
a character can have is 126 at level 60.
THE GALAXY MAP 15Gthe
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To travel around the galaxy using your advanced starship--the Normandy--you
must access the galaxy map, located prominently in the center of the command
deck.
The first level of the galaxy map is the Galaxy Level, which shows all
available star clusters and nebulae you can visit. By moving your cursor
over a selected cluster you can see its name and view the relay path the
Normandy would take to reach that part of the galaxy. New clusters and
systems become available as you complete missions and learn more about the
galaxy.
After selecting a location, you zoom in to the Cluster Level, which shows all
known star systems within that cluster. To explore a star system you must
travel there by clicking on it and confirming that you wish to travel.
When you have arrived at a new system you will see the System Level, which
shows all the planets and celestial objects orbiting the star you have
traveled to. All planets will have a blue ring showing their orbit. Other
objects may be hidden and will require you to move your cursor over them to
discover their presence. For example, many asteroid belts have interesting
asteroids you can examine, and derelict starships and freighters can also be